Crossing The Canadian Border

Notice to US Visitors

The US Department of Homeland Security and US Department of State have announced new dates and requirements for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) for air and sea travel.

Canadian, US, Mexico and Bermuda residents must present a passport to enter or re-enter the United States when arriving by air or sea from any part of the Western Hemisphere beginning Jan. 23, 2007. The previous date was Jan. 8, 2007. Regarding land border crossings, on November 22, 2006 the US House and Senate indicated the passport requirement deadline was expected to be January 1, 2008.

For more information, visit www.dhs.gov or www.travel.state.gov

International Visitors

Persons visiting from countries other than the United States must have a valid passport and may require other documentation such as visas. Check with the nearest Canadian Consulate well in advance of travel.

The above information applies to persons entering Canada temporarily as visitors. Other regulations apply if an extended stay, work or certain types of business activity are contemplated.

Crossing the Canadian Border with Children

In January of 2004 Canada Border Services Agency laid out these recommendations for parents travelling with children:

• All adults should carry identification for the children travelling with them, regardless of the children's age
• Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents
• The Canada Border Services Agency suggests identification such as a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, or immigration document. If none of these are available, get a letter stating that you are the children's parent or guardian from your doctor or lawyer, or from the hospital where the children were born
• Any adult who is not a parent or guardian should have written permission to supervise the child from the parent or guardian, as well as the child's identification. A letter would also facilitate entry for any one parent travelling with their children. This permission letter should contain addresses and telephone numbers where the parent or guardian can be reached
• When travelling with a group of vehicles, the parent or guardian should travel in the same vehicle as the children when arriving at the border

For more advice, visit the Canada Customs Border Information on travelling with children

Customs & Duty Free

All persons entering Canada must fill out a declaration for Canada Customs. Each visitor over the age of 19 may import, duty free, a maximum of 40 ounces (1.1 litres) liquor or wine, or 288 ounces (8.5 litres) of beer or ale, up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 8 ounces (200 grams) of tobacco.

Revolvers, pistols, and fully automatic firearms are prohibited entry into Canada. Non-restricted firearms (which must be declared) are a regular sporting rifle or a shotgun with a barrel over 470 mm (18.5 in.) with a maximum overall length of 660 mm (26 in.).

For more information contact:
Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise
Regional Office
333 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, BC
V6B 5R4 Canada
604.666.0545 available 24 hours
Dial "0" for an officer available 8 AM -4:15 PM, Mon - Fri

Canada Customs Border Information